Baby horror

Police were continuing to question a 64-year-old woman today after the body of a baby was found in a suitcase in an attic and two other babies' bodies were believed to have been discovered in bags in the loft of another nearby house.

Police were continuing to question a 64-year-old woman today after the body of a baby was found in a suitcase in an attic and two other babies' bodies were believed to have been discovered in bags in the loft of another nearby house.

The pensioner, named locally as Anne Mahoney, was arrested yesterday in connection with the discovery of the body of the first infant in a property in Penyfan View, on the Gurnos estate of Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales, on March 20.

She was arrested at her home in Forsythia Close on the same estate.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said yesterday: "The local woman is currently helping police with their inquiries at Merthyr police station.

"Following the arrest at her home today and a subsequent search of the property, officers discovered what they believed to be the remains of two further infants, which were enclosed in bags in the attic."

Neighbours said they believed Mrs Mahoney may be either a retired nurse or a former social services worker and may have also lived at the property in Penyfan View at one time. Police were unable to confirm these details.

Officers guarded the terrace house in Forsythia Close overnight, only streets away from the property where the remains of the first infant were found.

The body of the first baby was discovered by a family when they first moved into the house in Penyfan View and were putting boxes in the attic.

Police spent subsequent weeks tracing previous occupants of the property, which was built ten years ago.

Officers also made appeals for the first baby's mother to come forward in their efforts to identify the child, whose gender is still unknown.

Police are now believed to be targeting every former address of Mrs Mahoney with a view to carrying out a full search of each premises.

Neighbours living in Forsythia Close said they were stunned.

Elizabeth Slavin, 80, a long time resident, said the feeling on the estate was one of total shock.

"She had only been living in the street for about a year, but she seemed very nice and I know nothing against her at all."

Angela Keating, of Forsythia Close, said Mrs Mahoney was involved in a local youth football team.